Bike entries for the Finke Desert Race will open at the end of the month, with some famed past winners having flagged they intend to compete, organisers have announced.

Finke Desert Race committee president Antony Yoffa said the 2024 race would have room for 650 entries in the bikes category, with last year’s winner and four-time consecutive King of the Desert David Walsh to defend his crown.

While fellow four-time King of the Desert Ben Grabham and the 2006 King of the Desert Ryan Branford, have confirmed they will be racing again, along with 2023 runner-up Callum Norton.

“It’s exciting to have already such big names in David Walsh, Ben Grabham, Ryan Branford and Callum Norton confirmed for the bikes category this year,” Mr Yoffa said.

In a statement promoting the event Walsh said he was eager to defend his crown.

“I’m pumped at the thought of racing Finke again, it’s always an amazing weekend for the competitors and the spectators who all love the event so much,” he said.

“Being able to win four in a row last year was an amazing feeling, so hopefully I can go again this year and make it five on the trot”.

The Finke Desert Race, which runs from June 7 to 10, is an off-road, multi-terrain two-day race for bikes, cars and buggies through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) community.

Bike entries open at 9.30am Australian Central Standard Time on January 30. Entries are through the Finke Desert Race website.